Patria’s AMV for USMC’s MPC?
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The Finnish firm Patria Oyj has made quite a name for itself in the field of wheeled Armored Personnel Carriers, via its popular Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV). Patria has won several international competitions a large 690-vehicle contract in Poland, 84 AMV orders so far from Finland that include 24 breech-loading 120mm AMOS twin-mortar variants, plus recent order from Slovenia (135 vehicles in 4 different versions, including one variant with Patria’s new unmanned NEMO 120mm mortar turret), and a Croatian order for 84 vehicles. Its high level of protection from mine blasts got it certified by South African authorities, and it was subsequently made the base platform for South Africa’s “Hoefyster” program to field 264 next-generation infantry fighting vehicles in 5 variants (Infantry Carrier, Command, Mortar, Missile, and Fire Support).
In the second quarter of 2008, the US Marine Corps is expected to issue an RFP to begin replacing its aging LAV amphibious wheeled armored personnel carriers. When they do, they will be hearing from a somewhat unusual competitor…
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Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY will act as prime contractor for a bid, providing systems integration, survivability enhancements, U.S. production, communications systems integration (which Lockheed handled for the LAV-C2 variant), and support. Their partner, Patria Oyj, will supply their amphibious Armoured Modular Vehicle 8×8 APC, and the partnership may also clear the way for options like Patria’s Nemo and AMOS mortar turrets to replace vehicles like the LAV-M. Lockheed Martin release | Patria release.
If recent international experience is any guide, the Lockheed Martin/Patria partnership will face General Dynamics’ improved LAVs, and possibly its GD Steyr Pandur wheeled APCs as well.
Additional Readings
- Marine Corps Systems Command, PEO Land Systems – MPC. Notes that the project has been delayed by 2 years.
